Ethnicity & RaceEthnicity & Race

Race is/Race Ain’t from Safari Montage

Unit Objectives

Explore the concepts of race and ethnicity Understand the extent and impacts of

racial bias, preference, and segregation Which is the most useful construct for us

to consider when we think about social issues?• In the US?• Globally?

Squirming?Squirming? Talking about race Talking about race

in the US tends to in the US tends to make people make people uncomfortable.uncomfortable.

Why do you think Why do you think that is?that is?

RACE IS NOT REAL.RACE IS NOT REAL. Race is a social construct. Race is a social construct. But the effects of our But the effects of our perceptionsperceptions of race of race

are very real. are very real.

What do you know about race?What do you know about race?

Quiz time!Quiz time!

What is Race?What is Race? RaceRace = a categorization of humans based on = a categorization of humans based on

skin color and other physical characteristics skin color and other physical characteristics • genetic traitsgenetic traits• biologically inherited physical characteristicsbiologically inherited physical characteristics

Racial classifications are assigned to people on the Racial classifications are assigned to people on the basis of arbitrary differences like the shape of the basis of arbitrary differences like the shape of the nose, the degree of pigmentation in the skin, and nose, the degree of pigmentation in the skin, and the texture of the hair.the texture of the hair.

There is more genetic variation There is more genetic variation withinwithin a particular a particular racial group than racial group than betweenbetween racial groups. racial groups.

What is Race?What is Race?

Racial Categories are often imposed on people by Racial Categories are often imposed on people by governments. Which box do you check?governments. Which box do you check?

White Black or African American Asian American Indian/Alaska Native Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander The racial categories included in the census questionnaire

generally reflect a social definition of race recognized in this country and not an attempt to define race biologically, anthropologically, or genetically. In addition, it is recognized that the categories of the race item include racial and national origin or sociocultural groups. People may choose to report more than one race to indicate their racial mixture, such as “American Indian” and “White.” People who identify their origin as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish may be of any race.

So What is Ethnicity?So What is Ethnicity?

Ethnicity:Ethnicity: group of people w/ a group of people w/ a common identity based on a distinct common identity based on a distinct but shared culture (i.e. common but shared culture (i.e. common homeland, language, religion, or homeland, language, religion, or race).race).

Comes from Greek word Comes from Greek word “ethnos”“ethnos” which refers to a which refers to a uniqueunique and and cohesivecohesive group…i.e. us v. them group…i.e. us v. them

Ethnicity v. RaceEthnicity v. Race

Ethnicity and race are not the same thingEthnicity and race are not the same thing Ethnicity involves more than biological Ethnicity involves more than biological

characteristics. May include that, but goes characteristics. May include that, but goes well beyond to include person’s social and well beyond to include person’s social and cultural identity….i.e. people of same race cultural identity….i.e. people of same race can have many different ethnicitiescan have many different ethnicities

It’s hard to define race and ethnicity It’s hard to define race and ethnicity clearly: clearly: Ambiguity

Ethnicity – good or bad?Ethnicity – good or bad?

Ethnic PrideEthnic Pride – sense of belonging & pride in – sense of belonging & pride in one’s heritage & cultureone’s heritage & culture

EthnocentrismEthnocentrism: the idea that one’s own : the idea that one’s own group is superior to others (like racism for an group is superior to others (like racism for an ethnic group)ethnic group)

Ethnic groups usually have ties to a particular Ethnic groups usually have ties to a particular homeland -a place - this has led to homeland -a place - this has led to ethnic ethnic cleansingcleansing or violence to try to control land by or violence to try to control land by destroying an ethnic groupdestroying an ethnic group

Ethnicity is a strong force. Ethnicity is a strong force. Even if diffusion Even if diffusion and globalization change culture, ethnicity and globalization change culture, ethnicity will likely remain.will likely remain.

Ethnic GroupsEthnic Groups

Ethnic groupsEthnic groups can be difficult to can be difficult to identify….usually self-identified. Do identify….usually self-identified. Do we see ourselves as a unique and we see ourselves as a unique and cohesive group…i.e. us versus them?cohesive group…i.e. us versus them?

Racial categories used to be Racial categories used to be simpler…now it is virtually impossible simpler…now it is virtually impossible to classify people into “simple” to classify people into “simple” categories of race or ethnicity. categories of race or ethnicity.

Why?Why?

Racial/Ethnic DistributionsRacial/Ethnic Distributions

In United States: In United States: • 16% Hispanic 16% Hispanic • 13% African American13% African American• 5% Asian American5% Asian American• 1% American Indian1% American Indian• (63%) White Not-Hispanic (NOT an (63%) White Not-Hispanic (NOT an

ethnicity…. why not?)ethnicity…. why not?)

Ethnic ClustersEthnic Clusters

Ethnic enclave:Ethnic enclave: voluntary residential voluntary residential segregation based on ethnicity (i.e. ethnic segregation based on ethnicity (i.e. ethnic neighborhoods…Hispanic neighborhoods…Hispanic barriosbarrios, China , China town, little Havana)town, little Havana)

Why Does it Matter? Prejudice: pre-judgment. An

assumption made about someone or something before having adequate knowledge to be able to do so with accuracy.

Discrimination: treatment taken toward or against a person of a certain group based solely on category. Discrimination is the actual behavior.

de Jure vs. de Facto Segregationde Jure vs. de Facto Segregation

de Jurede Jure = legalized segregation = legalized segregation• Plessey v. Ferguson Plessey v. Ferguson • ApartheidApartheid in S. Africa in S. Africa

de Jure Segregationde Jure Segregation

““Separate but equal” overturned by Separate but equal” overturned by Brown v. BoE - 1954Brown v. BoE - 1954

Nelson Mandela in S. AfricaNelson Mandela in S. Africa

de Facto Segregationde Facto Segregation

Not legal – just happens. Not legal – just happens. Ethnic clustering or ethnic enclavesEthnic clustering or ethnic enclaves Can be based on religion, as wellCan be based on religion, as well

Northern Ireland: Protestant v Northern Ireland: Protestant v CatholicCatholichttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkjqS-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkjqS-

GtiT4GtiT4

Why Does it Matter?

Minority vs Dominant groups in society:

A minority is the group subjected to prejudice and discrimination.

The dominant group holds greater power, privilege, and prestige within the society.

Why/how did it begin in the US? Race A HistoryRace A History

White PrivilegeWhite Privilege

Does it exist?Does it exist? FreakonomicsFreakonomics Name ChangeName Change Read the article and respond on your

blog. What do you think? White Privilege DebateWhite Privilege Debate